Flexible nail strip and method of and apparatus for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A strip of nails is formed of spaced and parallel nails joined together by two pairs of spaced, flexible tapes and a thin layer of adhesive. Each pair of tapes is bonded together in face-toface relation between the nail shanks and bonded or adhered to the nails. Each pair of tapes is provided with a narrow outwardly bowed portion extending along the length of the tapes which fills with adhesive to prevent the adhesive from being squeezed out from between the tapes, to provide an increased mass of adhesive for bonding to the nail shanks, and to provide a small amount of resistance to compression without affecting the ability of the strip to be rolled or folded. The method of making the strip includes the steps of moving the spaced nails along a path, applying a thin layer of adhesive to the inner surfaces of the tapes, deforming the tapes slightly to provide a small longitudinally extending pocket, and forcing the tapes against the nail shanks and each other to form a flexible strip with a longitudinal adhesive-filled cavity or rib between the shanks. The apparatus for carrying out the method uses a pair of tape applying rollers with spaced axially extending shank receiving openings and a peripherally extending recess into which the tape is drawn by vacuum to form the rib.

United States Patent [191 Mosetich et al. May 1, 1973 FLEXIBLE NAIL STRIP AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ['57] ABSTRACT MANUFACTURING THE SAME A strip of nails is formed of spaced and parallel nails [75] Inventors: Ronald J. Mosetich, Glen Ellyn; joined together by two pairs of spaced, flexible tapes Joseph Mosetich, Westchester, both and a thin layer of adhesive. Each pair of tapes is of [1]. bonded together in face-to-face relation between the [73] Assignee: Fastener Corporation, Franklin i shanks bondefj or adhered to the nails Each Park L pair of tapes 15 provided with a narrow outwardly bowed portion extending along the length of the tapes [22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1970 which fills with adhesive to prevent the adhesive from being squeezed out from between the tapes, to provide [21] Appl' 90688 an increased mass of adhesive for bonding to the nail shanks, and to provide a small amount of resistance to US. Cl. compression without affecting the of the trip 53/200, 206/56 DF to be rolled or folded. The method of making the strip [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 13/04, B65b 27/10 includes the steps f moving the spaced nails along a of Search path a thin layer of adhesive to the inner sur- 53/184 29; 200/56 DF faces of the tapes, deforming the tapes slightly to provide a small longitudinally extending pocket, and forc- [56] References Cited ing the tapes against the nail shanks and each other to UNITED STATES PATENTS form a flexible strip with a longitudinal adhesive-filled cavity or l'lb between the shanks. The apparatus for 3,592,339 7/1971 Briggs ..2()6/5(3 D carrying ut the method usgs a pair of tape applying 31,35,436 4/1967 Baum et al 53/200 X Primary E.raminer-Granville Y. Custer, .lr. Assistant Examiner-E. F. Desmond Att0rneyMason, Kolehmainen, Rathburn & Wyss rollers with spaced axially extending shank receiving openings and a peripherally extending recess into which the tape is drawn by vacuum to form the rib.

11 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet;

47TOPNEY5.

Patented May 1, 1973 4 3,729,885

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 MMaMrozs POM/1L0 J Maser/0H Ampdaasfl/Mmfr/m ATTOE/VEYS.

This invention relates to a new and improved flexible strip of fasteners, such as nails, and to a new and improved method of an apparatus for making such a strip.

A number of methods and machines are known for making various types of nail strips used in fluidpowered fastener driving tools. As an example, US. Pat. No. 3,315,436 (Baum et al.) discloses a strip of stacked head nails which are joined by columns of plastic or adhesive material between paper tapes to provide a strip that is relatively rigid in compression to permit feeding by a bias applied to the rear end of the strip. This strip cannot be rolled or fan-folded to provide a large capacity supply for a driving too]. Other strips of nails are made of full-headed nails joined in spaced parallel positions by opposed pairs of flexible tapes joined by adhesive. These strips can be coiled,

fan-folded, and even compacted to reduce the space between adjacent nails so as to provide a large capacity nail supply in magazines of reasonable volume or size. These strips, however, suffer from the disadvantage of possessing too much flexibility because particularly the points thereof can become interlocked or engaged with each other with the result that feeding problems are encountered. Further, in some strips the adhesive is squeezed from between the surfaces of the tapes that are joined in face-to-face relation with the result that the strip becomes somewhat unsightly.

Accordingly, one object of the. present invention is to provide a new and improved flexible strip of fasteners, such as full-headed nails.

Another object is to provide such a strip which, although flexible enough to permit coiling or fan-folding, also possesses some resistance to compression to prevent or minimize the possibility of adjacent nails from becoming entangled.

A further object is to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for making such a nail strip by forming a narrow longitudinally extending deformity, cavity, or rib which is filled with adhesive so that the adhesive does not ooze from between the joined tapes and so that the flexible strip is given some small resistance in compression.

A further object is to provide such a method and apparatus in which a vacuum is applied to the portion of the tape to form the longitudinally extending deformity, rib, or cavity.

In accordance with these and many other objects, a

flexible nail strip embodying the present invention comprises a plurality of elongated fasteners such as full-headed nails held in spaced and parallel relation by two pairs of flexible tapes applied to opposite sides of the nail shanks at spaced positions along their length. A thin layer of lamina of adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive, is disposed between the pairs of tapes and serves to bond the tapes to opposite sides of the nail shank with each tape encircling substantially one-half of the nail shank and with the tapes bonded together in face-to-face relation in the space between adjacent nail shanks to form spacing sections or portions. A narrow rib, bead, or cavity which extends longitudinally along the tapes and is defined between the adhered tapes receives any excess adhesive when the tapes are forced together and thus provides a very narrow body of adhesive forming a column between adjacent nail shanks to provide a small amount of resistance to compression in the nail strip so as to maintain the nail shanks irnthe desired spaced relation without in any way interfering with the ability of the flexible strip to be coiled or fanfolded. In addition, this deformity extends around the shanks of the nails and provides a greater mass of adhesive for bonding the shank to the strip. Further, this bead or cavity for receiving any excess adhesive prevents the adhesive from being squeezed out from between the edges of the tape and forming an unsightly nail strip.

In the apparatus for and method of making this nail strip, the individual nails are placed in a continuously moving conveyor with the shanks disposed in spaced, parallel relation and successively passed through tape applying, drying, and cutting sections. In the tape applying section, tapes supplied from supply reels thereof pass by an adhesive applicator which applies a very thin film of adhesive to the tapes. These tapes then pass around a pair of applying rollers or wheels rotating about axes extending generally perpendicular to the path of movement of the nails. These rollers include axially extending semicylindrical notches for receiving the nail shanks and pressing the opposed tapes against the nail shanks while forcing the intervening segments of tape together in face-to-fac e relation. The outer peripheries of the opposed pairs of tape applying rollers also include peripherally extending recessed portions which, through a portion of the path of rotation of the tape applying wheels, are subjected to vacuum so that a central portion of the tape is bow ed or deformed outwardly to provide a slight pocket in which adhesive is collected, particularly when the tapes are pressed together. The opposed pockets or deformities in the tapes provide a channel or rib in which is collected adhesive material to provide the rib or pocket in the finished strip referred to above. 7

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which: 7 I

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a nail strip making machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a strip of nails manu factured by the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view embracing a tape applying section which is located in the overall machine as indicated by the brackets in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3 of the tape applying station;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line s s in FIG. 35

FIG. '6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 5; I

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 3 and illustrating the tape applying wheels or pulleys;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6,illustrating an adhesive applying nozzle;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 6 illustrating the interrelation of the tape applying pulley or wheel and a corrugating or depressing wheel provided in the tape applying station;

FIG. 10 is an enlargedsectional viewtaken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9; v

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1212 in FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1313 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of one tape with applied adhesive for carrying out the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a similar fragmentary perspective view illustrating another such adhesive-coated tape.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, therein is illustrated a machine or apparatus indicated generally at 50 which embodies the present invention and which produces flexible strips 52 containing a plurality of individual nails 54. The nails are flexibly joined together in spaced parallel relation in which the shanks 54A of the nails are held in generally vertical parallel positions with the full round heads 54B of the nails lying within a common plane. The individual nails are secured in this position by two flexible connectors or pairs 56, 58 of flexible tapes formed by four individual strips of flexible material or tape 60, 62, 64, and 66. These individual tapes are joined together in face-to-face relation in the space between adjacent nail shanks 54A to form spacing segments or sections 52A and to the engaged faces of the nail shanks 54A by suitable adhesive.

A central longitudinally extending portion of the flexible connectors 56, 58 is provided with an outwardly bowed pocket, bead, or rib 56A, 58A in the segments 52A spaced inwardly from the tape edges which, in the manufacture of the nail strip 52, becomes filled with the adhesive. This adhesive extends beyond the pockets 56A, 58A an appreciable part of the entire width of the tapes 60, 62, 64, 66. As an example, the sectional view of the flexible connector 56 in FIG. 13 shows the adhesive body- 67 forming the rib 56A, but does not illustrate the adhesive between the remainder of the tapes 60 and 62 because of the thinness of the layer. The deformation of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 producing the rib or bead 56A, 58A provides a reservoir into which excess adhesive is collected and prevents this adhesive from being squeezed out beyond the tape edges when the nail strip 52 is formed. In addition, the provision of the deformations 56A, 58A provides a slight resistance to compression in the strip 52 even though the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are very thin and flexible. This means that even though the strip 52 can be easily fan-folded or coiled, the likelihood of the ends of the nails 54 becoming entangled due to, for example, cocking is greatly reduced.

The production of the outward bowing or deformation of these flexible tapes also serves an additional valuable function in the area in which these tapes contact the side surfaces of the nail shanks 54A. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the deformation ofthcse tapes during manufacture of the nail strip 54 results in slight pockets or outwardly bowed sections 56B, 588 which are also filled with the adhesive material 67. This increases the mass of adhesive material available to bond the tapes 60, 62, 64, 66 to the nail shanks 54A. It is of particular advantage when. the adhesive 67 is a hot melt adhesive because the increased mass of the adhesive 67, which is applied in a warmed or heated state, slows the cooling of this adhesive on contact with the metal nail shanks 54A which serves as a heat sink and thus improves the adherence of the bond. As illustrated, particularly in FIG. 12, on the lowermost nail shank 54A the portions of the tape 60, 62 and similarly the tapes 64, 66 surrounding the nail shank 54A are substantially half of a cylinder but are somewhat eggshaped adjacent the outermost sides of the nail shank 54A to provide the pockets 56B, 58B in which is disposed the enlarged or increased mass of adhesive 67.

Although the flexible strips or tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are shown substantially throughout the drawings as comprising only a single layer, these tapes preferably are constructed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, these tapes comprise an outer lamina 60A of a plastic material such as a very thin film of polyethylene to which on the inner surface is bonded a lamina of paper 608. The paper 608 provides very good adherence when the adhesive 67 used is of the preferred hot melt type, and the flexibility and strength of the plastic lamina 60A permits a very thin layer of paper 608 to be used. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the outer lamina of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 is of a polyester film, such as MYLAR, to the inner surface of which is bonded or on the inner surface of which a surface working operation is performed to provide a layer 60D which possesses improved or adequate adherence to hot melt adhesive. A material such as MYLAR without surface treatment has been determined to provide, in certain applications, a less than satisfactory bond with the hot melt adhesive.

The general organization of the machine 50 for manufacturing the flexible nail strips 52 is shown in the top view in FIG. 1 of the drawings. This machine in many of its components is similar or identical to the machine shown and described in detail in the aboveidentified Baum et al. patent, and to facilitate crossreference thereto some reference numbers from the Baum et al. patent have been used herein. The machine 50 is mounted on a supporting frame or base 68 and includes a flexible conveying assembly indicated generally as 70 which is continuously driven during the operation of the machine 50 to carry nails 54 supplied thereto from a nail orienting and feeding station or assembly 72 to a tape and adhesive applying station indicated generally as 74 in which the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 and the adhesive material 67 are applied to the shanks 54A of the nails 54. As the nails 54 move beyond the assembly or station 74, the adhesive material, which is supplied in a plastic or fluid form, solidifies to bond the tapes in face-to-face relation and to the shanks 54A of the nails 54. This solidification is accelerated and completed at a cooling station 76 including a plurality of air pumps or fans. The continuous length of flexibly joined nails 54 is next advanced by the conveying means 70 through a fault detecting and strip severing station 78 in which the strips 52 of predetermined length are severed from the continuous length of joined nails and discharged onto a slide 80 carried by the base 68. In this manner, nails 54 derived from a bulk supply thereof at the station 72 are joined together to form a continuous strip which is then severed and discharged as discrete nail strips 52 in a continuous high speed operation.

The conveying means 70 comprises two flexible I chains or chain loops 82 and 84 which are vertically spaced to receive the nail shanks 54A adjacent their headed and pointed ends (FIGS. 4 and 5). The construction of the conveying means and of the chain loops 82 and 84 and the structure associated therewith including the guiding and driving components are the same as those shown and described in the Baum et al.

patent except for the obvious changes in position required to support the nails 54 in vertical positions in the present machine 50, as contrasted with the inclined positions with overlapped heads provided in the machine 50 of the Baum et al. patent. The chain loops 82, 84 are driven in a counter clockwise direction (FIG. 1). I

The nail aligning and feeding station 72 is also substantially identical to the station 72 in the Baum et al. patent except that the nails from bulk in a supply indicated generally as 72A are fed by a chute or conveying means 72B to be placed on the chain loops 82, 84 in a vertical or upright position. Obviously, the machine 50 could be so arranged that the belts 82, 84 pass in vertically spaced upper and lower flights with the stations 72, 74, 76, and 78 disposed along the upper flight so that the nails 54 pass in a horizontal plane.

The cooling station 76 and the fault detecting and severing station 78 are substantially identical to those provided in the Baum et al. patent except that the nail engaging wheels and severing means in the station 78 are readjusted to compensate for'the vertical, as contrasted to the inclined, position of the nails 54 carried along their predetermined path of movement by the conveying loops 82 and 84.

The tape and adhesive feeding and applying station 74 (FIGS. 3-7) includes means for applying the four strips of tape 60, 62, 64, and 66 and the adhesive material to spaced positions on the shanks 54A of the nails carried on the conveying means 70 during movement of these nails from left to right in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In general, the station or assembly 74 includes means for supplying four separate strips of tape, two on each sideof the path of movement of the conveying means 70, spaced vertically from each other. Just prior to the application of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 to the shanks 54A of the nails 54, a ribbon or layer of adhesive in molten or fluid state is applied to these tions 52A with the deformed sections 56A, 58A and also unites these tapes to the shanks 54A of the nails.

To provide means for supplying the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66, two tape supply reel assemblies 90 and 92 (FIG. 1) are provided secured to and positioned adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the supporting frame 68. The assembly 92 provides the two tapes 62 and 66 in vertically spaced positions, while the assembly 90 provides the tapes 60 and 64 in vertically spaced positions. The tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 supplied by these assemblies 90 and 92 are fed into engagement with the shanks of the moving nails 54 in opposed relation by two substantially identical assemblies disposed on oppositesides of the path of movement of the conveying means 70.

Each of these assemblies includes an arm 94 (FIG. 3) that is pivotally mounted on the base or frame 68 by a shaft 96 carried in a standard or support 100 that is secured to the upper surface of the base 68 by a plurality of fasteners 102 cooperating with elongated slots 100A in the standard 100 to permit relative adjustment of the position of the arm 94 and the base 68. At its free end, the arm 94 carries a supporting plate 104. The pairs of tapes 60, 64 and 62, 66 received from the assemblies 90 and 92, respectively, pass around two guide pulleys 106, 108, respectively, rotatable on a shaft carried on the plate 104 (FIG. 5). The pulleys 106, 108 guide the pairs of tapes past an adhesive applying station or unit 112 at the station 74 and into a tape deforming and applying assembly which is indicated generally as 114 (FIG. 3) and which forms a portion of the station 74.

The assemblies 112 for applying the adhesive 67 to the tapes are substantially of the same construction disclosed in the above-identified Baum et al. patent except for the fact that a much thinner layer of adhesive is applied to a central portion of the width of the tapes. The adhesive material used can be of any suitable type, but preferably comprises, as indicated above, a polyester base hot melt material that is applied in a fluid or molten state at a temperature of around 300 F. This material is resistant to cracking or embrittlement to temperatures below l5 F. and does not soften or become tacky at temperatures as high as 170 F. This molten or fluid thermoplastic or resin adhesive material is conveyed from a heating and storage means (not shown), which can be common to both assemblies 112, by a conduit means 116 supplied with an insulating or heating jacket 118. Each of the: assemblies 112 is secured to one end of an L-shaped bracket 120 by a plurality of headed fasteners 122 (FIGS. 3 and 6). The lower end of each of the brackets 120 is slotted and secured in an adjusted position on the base 68 by a machine screw 124.

Each of the assemblies 112 applies a thin layer of molten or viscous adhesive material to each of the two tapes supplied to each side of the: shanks 54A of the nails 54. More specifically, the assembly 112 includes a housing 126 having a pair of outlets or ports into which are threaded a pair of nozzle elements 128,only the upper of which is illustrated. Each of the nozzle elements 128 includes an axially extending bore or passage 128A communicating with a transversely extending opening or notch 128B at its outer end (FIGS. 6 and 8). The opening 128B extends in the direction of movement of the adjacent tape 60, 62, 64, 66, and the assemblies are so disposed that the nozzle elements 128 engage what will be the inner surfaces of the tapes when applied to the nail shanks 54A. As the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are moved past the nozzles 128, an elongated layer of adhesive material 67 is centrally applied to the adjacent surface, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings. These coated tapes then pass to the assemblies 114. a

The assemblies 114 each include a corrugating means indicated generally as 130 and a vacuum tape applying assembly indicated generally as 132 between which the coated tapes passand by which the coated tapes are applied in pairs to each other and to the nail shanks 54A. The assembly 132 comprises a stationary body 134 (FIG. 7) rigidly mounted on the arm 94. The body includes projecting portions 134A and 134B at its opposite ends. The projecting portion 1348 is received within an opening in the free end of the arm 94 and secured therein by a threaded fastener 136. The upper projection 134A is disposed within a semicircular recess 138 formed in a hold-down arm 140, the other end of which is secured by a threaded fastener 142 (FIG. 3) to an upper flange 948 which is connected to the arm 94 by a vertically extending web 94A. The body 134 is provided with a generally vertically extending cavity, recess, or vacuum chest 144 (FIG. 7) into which extends a transversely extending opening 146 which threadedly receives a fitting indicated generally as 148 (FIG. to which a flexible vacuum line is connected. The assembly 132 also includes a pair of wheels indicated generally as 150 which are rotatably mounted on the body 134 in vertically spaced positions so as to be aligned with the tape pairs 60, 64 and 62, 66, respectively.

The wheels 150 receive the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66, produce the deformations or pockets therein, and apply these tapes to the moving line of nails 54. Each of the vacuum wheel assemblies 150 includes two generally circular plates 152 and 154 disposed in overlying relation with a circular or annular sealing gasket 156 disposed therebetween. An O-ring 158 carried on the inner peripheral walls of the plates 152 and 154 seals the sliding interface between the wheels 150 and the rigid supporting body 134.

The outer periphery of the wheels 150 is provided with a plurality of generally vertically extending and substantially semicylindrical recesses 160 of a size, configuration, and spacing to receive the tapes, adhesive, and main shanks 54A. The recesses 160 extend through both of the plates 152 and 154. Formed primarily in the plate 154 is a centrally disposed recess 162 interconnecting the recesses 160 and providing vacuum communication therebetween and also an area into which the tapes can be deformed or drawn. Each of the recesses 160 is provided with a radial extending passageway 164 which is formed in the top or inner wall of the lower plate 154. The provision of the passages 164 provides the primary reason for forming the wheels 150 in two parts. This permits the upper surface of the plate 154 to be provided with the passages 164 which are then closed or sealed by the superimposition of the sealing gasket 156 and the top plate 152. To permit the passageways 164 and thus the recesses 160 and 162 to be placed in communication with the vacuum chest 144 during only a selected portion of the path of rotation of the wheels 150, the body 134 is provided with two vertically spaced and somewhat arcuate openings 166 (FIGS 6 and 7). The sector of the opening 166 generally corresponds to the sector extending between the point of contact of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 with the wheels 150 and the point at which these tapes are moved against each other and into engagement with the nails 54 carried on the conveying means 82, 84 (see FIG. 6). Thus, during this sector of the path of rotation of each of the wheel assemblies 150, the passageways 164 are in communication with the vacuum chest 144.

The corrugating means 130 (FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) com prises a pair of vertically spaced corrugating wheels 170 rotatable about a shaft 172 carried on the supporting plate 104 with suitable spacing sleeves 174 and 176 disposed between the pair of wheels 170 and the lowermost wheel 170 and the supporting plate 104. Each of the wheels 170 includes a recessed central area 170A to form a pair of upper and lower flanges 170B. The outer peripheries or edges of the flanged portions 170B are provided with semicylindrical protuberances 170C (FIGS. 6 and 10) which are peripherally spaced a distance corresponding to the recesses 160 in the wheels 150. The wheels and 170 are so arranged that the protuberances 170C mesh with the recesses with the tapes 60, 62, 64, or 66 disposed therebetween. The spacing between the flanges 1708 is such that the bead or layer of adhesive 67 is disposed therebetween within the recess A and is not engaged by the flanged portions 1708.

The function of the corrugating means 130 is to press the tape 60, 62, 64, 66 into the recesses 160. It has been determined that this is particularly desirable when using the tape formed of laminated plastic and paper (FIG. 14) because of the relative stiffness of this embodiment of the tape. On the other hand, it has been determined that the corrugating means 130 can frequently be dispensed with when using the MYLAR tape shown in FIG. 15 because the vacuum applied to this much more flexible tape is sufficient to insure its proper location within the recesses 160. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, the width of the corrugating wheel 170 is less than the width of the wheel 150.

As noted above, the assemblies 114 are mounted on opposite sides of the path of movement of the conveying means 70 formed of the conveying loops 82 and 84 (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 6). More specifically, the assemblies 132 are so disposed that the four wheels 150 thereof are directly opposite each other in two opposed pairs and are so oriented relative to the bodies 134 about which they rotate that the recesses 160 move into alignment to receive the nail shanks 54A from the conveying loops 82, 84 at what might be considered a point of tangency between the wheels. In order to adjust the relative spacing between the two sets of wheels 150 or the assemblies 132, two identical positioning or biasing assemblies indicated generally as 180 (FIG. 3) are provided. These assemblies comprise a structure 182 fixedly mounted on the supporting base 68 and threadedly receiving a lead or machine screw 184. The inner end of each of the screws 184 bears against the web portion 94A on the pivotally mounted arms. By threadedly adjusting the fasteners 184, the assemblies 132 can be biased toward each other to set their position as well as the pressure with which the adhesively coated tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are pressed against the nail shanks 54A. A jam nut 186 is used to fix the position of the adjusting screw 184.

During operation of the machine 50, the conveying means including the conveying loops 82, 84 is placed in continuous operation, and successive nails 54 are fed from the bulk supply 72A down the aligning means 728 at the station 72 to be supplied to and mounted on the conveying loops 82, 84 in vertically disposed, spaced apart positions. These nails are then continuously moved past the station 74 to receive the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 and the adhesive 67.

At the stations 74, the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are provided from the supplies 90 and 92 and passed over the guide rollers 106 and 108 past the adhesive applying station 112 at which the nozzle 128 applies a generally centrally disposed bead or layer of adhesive material 67. These four tapes then pass into the assembly 114 in which the corrugating wheels 170 in the corrugating means 130 press the tapes into the vertical recesses 160 with the bead of adhesive 67 disposed between the flanges 170B on the corrugating wheels 170. As illustrated in FIG. 6, this corrugation or depression of the tapes occurs at approximately the same point in the path of rotation of the wheels 150 at which the passage 164 connected to the recess 160 receiving the depressed tape is placed in communication with the vacuum chest 144 through the angular slot or recess 166. Thus, the vacuum assists in drawing the tape into the depression or recess 160. Since tape is disposed completely about the sector of the path of movement of the wheel 150 which is exposed to vacuum through the slit 166, the tape lies against the periphery of the wheel and more or less seals all of the passages 160. Thus, a vacuum is drawn in the connecting recess portions 162- (FIG. 7) which is generally centrally disposed in the wheels 150 and lies approximately in alignment with the bead of adhesive material 67 on the paper tape. The vacuum acting in the recess 162 bows the tape inwardly in the area in which the adhesive 67 is disposed so that this adhesive is more or less held in a centrally disposed pocket on the tape during continuing rotation of the wheels 150 toward the point of application of the tapes 1 and adhesive to the nail shanks 54A. This means that the wheels 150 disposed to the right in FIG. 6 rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and the wheels 150 disposed to the left of the conveying loop 84 rotate in a clockwise direction. Thus, the vacuum holds the tape and adhesive in position during the portion of the path of rotation of the wheels 150 in which the recess 166 places the passages 164 in communication with the vacuum chest 144 (FIG. 6).

An additional phenomena occurs at the point of intersection of the vertically extending recesses 160 and the radially extending passages 164 which is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. More specifically, at this point of intersection, thevacuum applied over the passageway 164 tends to draw the contiguous portion of the tape 62 and the adhesive 67 thereon into a somewhat eggshaped configuration due to the greater force. of the vacuum at the end of the passage 164. This prepares the tapes to provide the pockets 56B,58B.

As the tapes 60, 62 and 64, 66 with the beads of adhesive 67 carried thereon are advanced toward the nails 54 carried on the conveying loops 82, 84, the bodies of adhesive 67 begin to merge at the point at which the slots 166 terminate, and vacuum is removed from the passage 164 (see FIG. 6). These tapes are then forced against the nail shanks 54A and against each other to form the two unified pairs of tapes or flexible connectors 56, 58 with the adhesive 67 joining the nail shanks 54A and the tapes with the nails 54 in the desired spaced parallel positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the deformation of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 into the ports terminating the passages 164 produces the bulge or pocket 56B, 588 containing the increased quantity of adhesive 67 immediately adjacent the nail shank 54A to improve the bond between the tapes and the nail shanks. Further, and although not illustrated as a discrete layer in FIGS. 11 and 12, a portion of the adhesive 67 is squeezed out of the pockets 56B, 58B and disposed between the tapes and the nail shanks 54A both above and below the pockets or bulges 56B, 588. Because the vacuum has been terminated by the point at which the tapes join the nail shanks 54A, there is no tendency for the tapes to be stripped from each other and the nails 54 by continuing rotation of the wheels 150.

This movement of the wheels 150 also forces the tapes 60, 62, and 64, 66 together to form the deformed or bulged sections 56A, 58A containing the increased quantity of adhesive 67 (FIG. 13)). There is, however, in addition to the adhesive 67 contained within the deformations, adhesive that is extrudedor squeezed upwardly or downwardly from these deformations to be disposed between the tapes 60, 62 and 64, 66 so that these tapes are joined together along an appreciable portion of their width. The quantity of adhesive 67 applied at the units 112 considered in conjunction with the depth of the recesses 162 is such that although no surplus adhesive is extruded beyond the edges'of these tapes, these tapes are secured through at least a portion of their widths above and below the pockets or ribs 56A, 58A. By controlling such factors as the depth of the recesses 162 and the quantity of applied adhesive 67, the extent of the width of the tapes 60, 62, 64, and 66 joined by the adhesive can be controlled.

Continuingmovement of the conveying means 70 moves the nail strip 52 through the station 76 at which is facilitated or accelerated the setting of the adhesive 67. At the station 78, the continuous strip is checked for defects as described in the Baum et a]. patent, and the continuously formed nail strip 52 is cut into segments of the desired length which are discharged over the slide or chute 80. v

Although the present invention has beendescribed with reference to a single illustrative embodiment thereof, it should be'understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for making flexible strips of spaced fasteners using thin, flexible tapes comprising conveying means for moving fasteners in spaced relation along a path,

adhesive applying means for applying a layer of adhesive to a surface of at least one of the tapes spaced inwardly from the edges of the tape,

tape deforming means for forming a longitudinally extending depression in at least one of the tapes, I

and tape applying means for applying the tapes opposite each other to the sides of the fasteners so that the tapes are joined together by the adhesive in face-to-face relation in the spaces between the fasteners with at least one tape located inwardly from the sides of the fasteners and are joined to the fasteners, the depression formed by the tape deforming means being filled with the adhesive to provide a longitudinally extending rib projecting from and enclosed by the portions of the tapes joined in face-to-face relation between successive fasteners.

2. In an apparatus for making strips of fasteners using adhesive and a pair of flexible tapes and of the type using fastener arranging and conveying means for moving fasteners along a path in spaced and generally parallel positions, the improvement comprising structure providing two tape feeding paths for applying two tapes to opposite sides of the fasteners as the fasteners move along their path and for placing the tapes against the sides of the fasteners and in face-to-face contact with each other in the spaces between successive fasteners with at least one of the tapes located inwardly from the sides of the fasteners,

adhesive applying means disposed along at least one of the tape paths for applying a layer of adhesive to the surface of the tape that is to be applied to the fasteners,

and tape deforming means disposed along at least one of the tape paths for producing a longitudinally extending pocket in the tape so that when the two tapes are moved into face-to-face contact with each other and against the fasteners, the pocket becomes substantially filled with the adhesive and provides a body thereof between successive fasteners enclosed by the tape joined in faceto-face contact.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 in which the tape deforming means includes a movable tape guiding element having means for applying a vacuum to an area on the tape.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 in which an adhesive applying means and a tape deforming means is provided on each of the tape paths.

5. An apparatus for making strips of flexibly joined, elongated articles using two flexible tapes and adhesive material which comprises:

means for moving the articles along a path in spaced relation,

a pair of rotatable tape applying wheels on opposite sides of the path, each of the tape applying wheels including peripherally spaced recessed portions for receiving the articles, a tape bearing against the periphery of the wheels through one sector of its rotation, at least one of said wheels having a peripherally extending recessed area,

applicator means for applying an adhesive to at least one of the tapes,

vacuum means coupled to the peripherally extending recessed area for deforming a portion of the tape into the peripherally extending recessed area,

and means mounting the wheels substantially opposite each other so that successive articles moving along the path are received in successive opposed pairs of the peripherally spaced recesses on the wheels and the tapes are pressed against the sides of the articles, the tapes being pressed against each other in the spaces between the articles by the periphery of the wheels except for the deformed area which receives'a body of adhesive resulting from pressing the tapes together between the wheels.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 in which the vacuum means includes a stationary structure on which a tape applying wheel is rotatably mounted,

elongated fasteners using flexible tapes and adhesive material, which method comprises the steps of disposing the fasteners in spaced and generally parallel positions,

feeding a pair of tapes against opposite sides of the fasteners generally opposite each other with adhesive disposed between the tapes,

moving spaced portions of the inner surfaces of the tapes against each other in face-to-face relation to be joined by the adhesive in the space between the fasteners to form generally flat spacing sections in which at least one tape is located inwardly of the sides of the fasteners, I

moving other portions of the inner surfaces of the tapes against the opposite sides of the fasteners to join the fasteners to the tapes spaced by the spacing sections,

and longitudinally deforming at least one of the tapes in the spacing sections to form a longitudinal area offset from the flat spacing section and enclosed by the tapes joined in face-to-face relation.

9. The method set forth in claim 8 in which the step of deforming the tape includes the step of applying a vacuum to a narrow area of the outer surface of the tape to deform the tape outwardly and form a longitudinally extending cavity filled with adhesive.

10. The method set forth in claim 8 including the application of adhesive to at least one of the tapes in a longitudinally extending layer to be disposed in the longitudinally deformed area of the tape.

11. The method set forth in claim 8 in which an adhesive in fluid form is applied to the inner surface of the tape,

the outer surface of the tape is then subjected to vacuum to form the longitudinally extending deformation, and the tape is then fed against the fasteners. 

1. An apparatus for making flexible strips of spaced fasteners using thin, flexible tapes comprising conveying means for moving fasteners in spaced relation along a path, adhesive applying means for applying a layer of adhesive to a surface of at least one of the tapes spaced inwardly from the edges of the tape, tape deforming means for forming a longitudinally extending depression in at least one of the tapes, and tape applying means for applying the tapes opposite each other to the sides of the fasteners so that the tapes are joined together by the adhesive in face-to-face relation in the spaces between the fasteners with at least one tape located inwardly from the sides of the fasteners and are joined to the fasteners, the depression formed by the tape deforming means being filled with the adhesive to provide a longitudinally extending rib projecting from and enclosed by the portions of the tapes joined in face-to-face relation between successive fasteners.
 2. In an apparatus for making strips of fasteners using adhesive and a pair of flexible tapes and of the type using fastener arranging and conveying means for mOving fasteners along a path in spaced and generally parallel positions, the improvement comprising structure providing two tape feeding paths for applying two tapes to opposite sides of the fasteners as the fasteners move along their path and for placing the tapes against the sides of the fasteners and in face-to-face contact with each other in the spaces between successive fasteners with at least one of the tapes located inwardly from the sides of the fasteners, adhesive applying means disposed along at least one of the tape paths for applying a layer of adhesive to the surface of the tape that is to be applied to the fasteners, and tape deforming means disposed along at least one of the tape paths for producing a longitudinally extending pocket in the tape so that when the two tapes are moved into face-to-face contact with each other and against the fasteners, the pocket becomes substantially filled with the adhesive and provides a body thereof between successive fasteners enclosed by the tape joined in face-to-face contact.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 in which the tape deforming means includes a movable tape guiding element having means for applying a vacuum to an area on the tape.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 in which an adhesive applying means and a tape deforming means is provided on each of the tape paths.
 5. An apparatus for making strips of flexibly joined, elongated articles using two flexible tapes and adhesive material which comprises: means for moving the articles along a path in spaced relation, a pair of rotatable tape applying wheels on opposite sides of the path, each of the tape applying wheels including peripherally spaced recessed portions for receiving the articles, a tape bearing against the periphery of the wheels through one sector of its rotation, at least one of said wheels having a peripherally extending recessed area, applicator means for applying an adhesive to at least one of the tapes, vacuum means coupled to the peripherally extending recessed area for deforming a portion of the tape into the peripherally extending recessed area, and means mounting the wheels substantially opposite each other so that successive articles moving along the path are received in successive opposed pairs of the peripherally spaced recesses on the wheels and the tapes are pressed against the sides of the articles, the tapes being pressed against each other in the spaces between the articles by the periphery of the wheels except for the deformed area which receives a body of adhesive resulting from pressing the tapes together between the wheels.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 in which the vacuum means includes a stationary structure on which a tape applying wheel is rotatably mounted, the structure defining a vacuum source with an outlet opening communicating with the rotatably mounted wheel over a given sector of the path of rotation of the wheel, and the wheel includes a plurality of spaced radial passages communicating with the recessed portions at one end and movable into communication with the outlet opening at the other end.
 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 including a corrugating wheel adjacent the tape applying wheel for forcing the tape into the spaced recessed portions.
 8. A method of making a flexible strip of spaced and elongated fasteners using flexible tapes and adhesive material, which method comprises the steps of disposing the fasteners in spaced and generally parallel positions, feeding a pair of tapes against opposite sides of the fasteners generally opposite each other with adhesive disposed between the tapes, moving spaced portions of the inner surfaces of the tapes against each other in face-to-face relation to be joined by the adhesive in the space between the fasteners to form generally flat spacing sections in which at least one tape is located inwardly of the sides of the fasteners, moving other portions of the inneR surfaces of the tapes against the opposite sides of the fasteners to join the fasteners to the tapes spaced by the spacing sections, and longitudinally deforming at least one of the tapes in the spacing sections to form a longitudinal area offset from the flat spacing section and enclosed by the tapes joined in face-to-face relation.
 9. The method set forth in claim 8 in which the step of deforming the tape includes the step of applying a vacuum to a narrow area of the outer surface of the tape to deform the tape outwardly and form a longitudinally extending cavity filled with adhesive.
 10. The method set forth in claim 8 including the application of adhesive to at least one of the tapes in a longitudinally extending layer to be disposed in the longitudinally deformed area of the tape.
 11. The method set forth in claim 8 in which an adhesive in fluid form is applied to the inner surface of the tape, the outer surface of the tape is then subjected to vacuum to form the longitudinally extending deformation, and the tape is then fed against the fasteners. 